HOLDEN-H. Eleanor Wilmot-Vincelette of Jefferson, MA., formally of West Boylston, passed away Thursday, April twenty-seven, at the age of ninety- three. She was predeceased by her parents, Hildur M. Sundberg-Holmberg-Spillane-Falkungren, and Herman W. Holmberg; in 2001, by her husband of 58 years, Donald A. Wilmot; in 2011 by her second husband, Roland N. Vincelette, with whom she shared nine wonderful golden years; her younger sister, Carol (Spillane) Hebert, a niece, Katherine Eiland, a brother, Henry Raymond Holmberg and grandson, Richard Marsden.
Eleanor will be dearly missed by her loving daughter, Linette Eleanor Powell, and son in law, Arthur (Rusty) Powell, of Spencer, MA., both of whom cared for her the last several years, and by her most beloved grandchildren, Jessica Dolan and fiancé, Justin Dake, of San Diego, CA., Marisa Paraschak and husband Ephrem, of Naples, ME., Kerry Dolan and John Martin of Hawaii, Christopher Dolan and his fiancé Stephanie Morell of Natick, her sister-in-law, Barbara Giaquinto, and her loving niece, Jaqueline Giaquinto, all of whom contributed so many joyful memories of family life to Eleanor’s wonderful golden years. Eleanor also leaves behind a step granddaughter, Lindsey Miller, three nephews, Kurt, Keith and Kent Holmberg, and three nieces, Cynthia, Deborah, and Rebecca, daughters of her late sister Carol Price-Hebert.
Eleanor bids a fond adieu to several soul mates and close friends, especially Anne Marie Lucie, Ursula Piazza, Layah Lehman, and all of her dear friends known thru her long participation with Worcester County Poetry Association, The Folk N’ A open mike, the Worcester Art Museum, VASA and Soviettia Clubs and her Alma Mater, Worcester State College.
She also leaves behind another four daughters, four sons, and their spouses: Jeanette Spratt, Judith McCarthy, Diane Carlson, Yvette Rua, Ronald A. Wilmot, Charles R. Wilmot, Mark A. Wilmot, and Paul Wilmot; many grandchildren, with special fondness for Kim and Kassie; several great grandchildren; a stepson, Denis Vincelette, stepdaughter Michelle Kemps, and their spouses, children and grandchildren.
Eleanor was employed before marriage at Norton Company and Telechron. She raised her large family in West Boylston, where she resided for over sixty years, and was an accomplished seamstress who could turn many a colorful remnant into stylish and beautiful garments. She was a Den Mother for Cub scouts, a foster mother for one precious and fondly remembered foster child, a former parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and also of St. Mary’s Parish in Jefferson for several years, after her marriage to Roland Vincelette.
After raising her family, she was employed by the Sheraton Lincoln Inn as a housekeeper where she showcased her work ethic and abilities by designing and re-upholstering all two hundred and fifty chairs in the Courtyard dining room and also contributed for display in the Main Lobby her original oil portrait of Cuzzie Mingola. She then worked for the Medical Records Department at Worcester City Hospital until retirement.
When the state of Massachusetts began offering tuition free college education to senior citizens, Eleanor attended evening classes at QCC, gaining an Associate Degree. She then attended Worcester State College, where she earned her BA in English in 1990, and in 1992, at age 67, her Master’s in Education degree, and still went on to add a Bachelor of Science in Communications degree in 2003, at the age of 79.
During her time in college, Eleanor became a prolific writer of poetry and short stories, a frequent and popular poet at local open mikes and the author of four books of poetry and prose: ALI ANORA’S LIFE THOUGH THE WINDOW; THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM OF A WOMAN; OUR PATH IS CHOSEN; and PAGES FROM MY LIFE. She interned at Worcester Magazine, served on the board of Worcester County Poetry Association, and Opera Worcester, and illustrated many organizational programs, newsletters and event posters for all the organizations she participated in. She was the editor and associate editor of the WORCESTER STATE COLLEGE Senior newspaper. Eleanor’s work was published in WORCESTER MAGAZINE, THE LANCASTER TIMES, THE SAHARA, THE ISSUE, VOICES FROM THE ASYLUM, WORCESTER STATE COLLEGE ELDER ADVOCATE, GROUPO CULTURAL HOSTOS, and THE CHARLTON FRIENDS AND POETS.
At home, she loved playing her accordion or piano, and listening to classical, and cultural music. She was chosen as “Ms. Senior Massachusetts” in 1982, a national “Age of Elegance” contest that showcased the outstanding accomplishments of women after the age of 60. Winning this state competition enabled her to attend the National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, where she had a wonderful time meeting other fabulous “older women” from many different walks of life.
Eleanor was a talented artist, painting many pieces of loved ones, interesting people she met, and of landscapes seen in her travels thru Sweden, Greece, England, France and Brazil. She studied at the Worcester Art Museum, and The Massachusetts College of Art. She participated in special exhibits at The Worcester Art Museum, The Sprinkler Factory, C.C. Lowell, The Street Beat, Barnes and Noble Poetry, Assumption College poetry events, Cool Beans and The Java Hut slam poetry venues, and for many years has been a regular performer at one of the longest running open mikes in Massachusetts, the venerable Folk N’A , where she continued to write and perform actively until shortly before her passing. It was an honor for her to have such love and respect from so many young, talented people and she took great pride in doing all she could to inspire and challenge those she met to live their lives to the fullest, living proof that “age does not matter, but desire and continued zest and enthusiasm for life does”.
Her sense of style, colorful scarves, graceful appearance, passion, depth and wide range of intellectual and artistic interests were an inspiration to all who knew her and her ability to assimilate so many cumulated life experiences into vivid prose made her into a cherished local figure, known by all on sight throughout the Worcester art, poetry, and music community.
Eleanor was amazed at having lived such a long life, and accomplishing so much in her golden years. She was an inspirational, multi-talented, elegant and gracious woman, who blossomed with vigor and style with age, making friends among the young and old from many cultures and walks of life. She tried to inspire those she met to be kind to others, to continue to seek knowledge of our world, to be educated, and always, always, to pursue their dreams.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2017, from 2-5 P.M. at Fay Brothers Funeral Home in West Boylston, MA., followed by private service and burial.
An “Open Mike” celebration of remembrance and honor, will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, at O’Connor’s Restaurant, 1160 W. Boylston St. Worcester. Eleanor’s beloved friends from her many walks of life are invited as our guests, to share a lovely evening of music, poetry, love and laughter, for a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, Eleanor has requested that all who would like to donate in her name, to please consider the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester County Poetry Association, The Sprinkler Factory, Planned Parenthood, Breast Cancer Research, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, all organizations that she believed worthy of support.